Linux Intrusion Detection with OSSEC & Wazuh
Deploying, Configuring, and Managing Host-Based Intrusion Detection Systems
What's Included:
Key Highlights
- OSSEC architecture and deployment
- Wazuh server and agent configuration
- Centralized log monitoring
- File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) implementation
- Rule tuning and alert optimization
- Active response configuration
- Firewall integration
- SIEM integration strategies
- Custom rule development
- Threat intelligence integration
- Scaling Wazuh in enterprise environments
- IDS infrastructure hardening
Overview
Deploy and manage OSSEC and Wazuh on Linux. Implement host-based intrusion detection, file integrity monitoring, active response, SIEM integration, and scalable security monitoring.
The Problem
Linux systems are constantly scanned, attacked, and tested for weaknesses. Yet many organizations rely solely on perimeter defenses or default logging without structured detection.
Common issues include:
- No visibility into unauthorized file changes
- Delayed detection of privilege escalation attempts
- Excessive false positives from poorly tuned rules
- Uncoordinated alert handling
- IDS deployments left at default configurations
Without properly configured host-based intrusion detection, compromises can go unnoticed for weeks or months.
The Solution
Linux Intrusion Detection with OSSEC & Wazuh provides a structured, production-ready framework for building reliable host-based detection on Linux.
You will learn how to:
- Deploy and manage OSSEC and Wazuh effectively
- Configure file integrity monitoring correctly
- Tune rules for real-world environments
- Implement active response automation
- Integrate detection systems with SIEM platforms
- Scale securely across multiple Linux servers
The result: earlier detection, faster response, and stronger Linux security posture.
About This Book
Linux Intrusion Detection with OSSEC & Wazuh is a practical, hands-on guide to deploying and managing host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) in Linux environments.
Every internet-connected Linux server is a target. Brute-force attacks, privilege escalation attempts, file tampering, and rootkit installations happen daily. The real question is not whether your systems are being probed — it's whether you can detect it in time.
This book teaches you how to build that visibility.
Master Host-Based Intrusion Detection
You will begin by understanding:
- How intrusion detection systems work
- The architecture of OSSEC and Wazuh
- Why host-based detection is critical for Linux security
Deploy OSSEC and Wazuh in Real Environments
Move beyond theory with hands-on configuration:
- Installing OSSEC and Wazuh servers and agents
- Configuring centralized log collection
- Implementing file integrity monitoring (FIM)
- Tuning alerts to reduce false positives
Turn Detection into Action
Detection without response is noise. You will learn how to:
- Configure active response mechanisms
- Automatically block malicious IPs
- Integrate with firewalls and SIEM platforms
- Create custom detection rules
Scale for Production
The final chapters prepare you for real-world deployment:
- Scaling Wazuh across enterprise Linux environments
- Hardening your IDS infrastructure
- Building repeatable incident response workflows
This book transforms intrusion detection from a passive alert system into an active defensive strategy.
Who Is This Book For?
- Linux system administrators securing production servers
- Security engineers implementing HIDS solutions
- DevOps professionals responsible for Linux security
- Infrastructure teams deploying Wazuh at scale
- IT professionals transitioning into security roles
Who Is This Book NOT For?
- Home desktop Linux users seeking basic security tips
- Readers looking for network-based IDS only
- Developers uninterested in system-level monitoring
- Security researchers seeking exploit development content
Table of Contents
- Understanding Intrusion Detection Systems
- OSSEC and Wazuh Architecture
- OSSEC Installation and Initial Setup
- OSSEC Rules and Alerts
- Installing Wazuh Server
- Wazuh Agents and Log Collection
- File Integrity Monitoring (FIM)
- Detecting Suspicious Activity
- Configuring Active Response
- Integrating with Firewalls and SIEM
- Custom Rule Development
- Threat Intelligence Integration
- Scaling Wazuh in Production
- Securing the IDS Infrastructure
- Building an Incident Response Workflow
- From System Administrator to Security Engineer
- Appendix: OSSEC Configuration Cheat Sheet
- Appendix: Wazuh Rule Examples
- Appendix: File Integrity Monitoring Checklist
- Appendix: Incident Response Template
- Appendix: Linux Security Learning Path
Requirements
- Basic Linux command-line knowledge
- Access to a Linux server or VM for testing
- Understanding of basic networking concepts (helpful but not required)
